How to convert your physical SIM into an eSIM: it will take you seconds to do it from home

Since 2016, eSIM technology was approved by the GSMA and, since then, it has been incorporated into different devices, including tablets, wearables and now mobile phones.

However, Not all operators have this technology.not all phones are compatible.

However, this technology is becoming more and more integrated over time, since thanks to it we can change mobile phones and operators much more easily; without having to go to a physical store, or having to wait for a traditional physical SIM card to be sent to our home.

What is an eSIM?

The eSIM is a digital SIM that is integrated into mobile devices, without the possibility of removing it. Therefore, It works 100% digitally and you don’t need to remove it (nor can you physically do so) to change your operator or mobile phone.

In fact, once you have a profile, you can connect to an operator’s network in minutes, indicating to the new operator you want to change the virtual SIM number (the 19 or 20 digit ICCID printed on current cards) of your device to associate it with. In addition, you can install and manage up to eight or more profiles from your phone.

This technology also opens up the possibility of international roaming; the ability to associate it with more than one operator in different countries. This way, you can buy a prepaid card for the destination you want to visit and have it available as soon as you land.

How to know if my mobile is compatible with eSIM

Before seeing how you can convert a physical SIM into a virtual one, you need to know if your mobile is compatible.

If you have an Android phone, the easiest way to find out the EID number of the terminal (the Embedded Identification Document is a 32-digit number that each mobile phone compatible with this technology has) is to access the call application and dial *#06#.

Several codes will appear quickly, such as the IMEI or ICCID, but the EID must appear. If it is not displayed, your mobile is not compatible.

You can also check the specifications of your device or on its box. In addition, you can look at this Jazztel web listwhere all compatible phones appear, such as Apple phones after iPhone XS, or for Samsung phones, from the Galaxy S21 onwards.

eSIM compatible operators

As we have pointed out before, not all operators have this technology. In fact, in Spain the pioneers were Movistar and O2, who implemented the eSIM Quick Transfer function on iPhones weeks ago.

Vodafone and Orange have recently joined the other two with the iOS 17.4 beta. However, switching from a physical SIM to a virtual one has a cost, depending on your operator.

This is the List of operators in Spain that currently have eSIM technology available:

• Movistar
• Orange
• Vodafone
• O2
• Yoigo
• Jazztel
• Pepephone
• Digi
• MoreMobile

How can you convert your old physical SIM card to a virtual one?

Now, once you have seen which mobiles and operators are compatible, let’s see how we can convert a physical SIM card into a virtual one.

The first thing to do is call your company, if you don’t want to go to the physical store, and request the change. Then, you have to wait for them to send you an email with the QR code (which you must scan to download your customer profile to your phone) to activate the virtual SIM and start using it.

For him Scanning and activating the eSIM From your mobile, follow these steps:

• Go into Settings > Mobile data and select Add mobile data plan (or open your mobile camera) and scan the QR.
• Afterwards, you can activate and rename the different data plans.
• And finally, enter the activation PIN.

Switch to eSIM on an Android phone

First, go to Settings > Connections or Mobile Data or Networks and Internet > SIM Manager and then to Physical SIM settings and then in Convert to eSIM.

Or, on some devices it appears after logging in. SIM Manager > Add eSIMthen choose between Transfer SIM from another device, Scan QR code either Find eSIM cardsIf you choose to scan the operator’s QR code, you will then need to enter the PIN that came with the QR.

And to transfer from one mobile to anotherit was the journalist specialized in Android, Mishaal Rahman, who explained how it works in your X profile (formerly Twitter). This requires compatible devices that both run One UI 5.1 or later.

• Choose Add eSIM > Other ways to connect to a mobile network > Transfer SIM from another device.

Then you have to unlock the old device, place it near the new one and scan a code that will appear on the screen of the old device. Finally, tap on Transfer to the other device.

Switch to eSIM on an iPhone running iOS 17.4 or higher

And in the case of iPhones, just follow these steps:

• Update your iPhone to iOS 17.4 or later. Then, go to Settings > Mobile data.
• Then tap on Convert to eSIM.
• Finally, remove your SIM card (it will be deactivated when the other one is activated) and restart your iPhone.

Once you have activated the eSIM on your iOS or Android mobile, everything will be the same as with the physical SIM card, you will not notice any difference in terms of functionality or coverage.

Now you know How to convert your physical SIM to eSIMa quick and easy process with many advantages.

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Tags: SIM cards